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Frank’s Fax Facts and Reviews

Vol.. XIV No. 18

Sunday, July 28, 2013

       Old Movie Review

T he Manchurian Candidate (MGM)

I remembered this absorbing melodrama only too well! The cast was superb, but the drama, itself, was rather hard on the nervous system! I had totally forgotten that Frank Sinatra was the “Big Star” and not Laurence Harvey (whose role was about as complex as Movie role can get) as Angela Lansbury’s son, He ends up killing her, and then turning the gun on himself. Really a gruesome flick! But in spite of the negatives: the power of this film is gripping and unforgettable.

Draft Dodgers No Longer (or, No Place Like Home)

       The first thing I did (when I was discharged from Uncle Sam’s Service) was to get a room at Lynwood’s and my favorite hotel in those parts of the world that we had seen together (The Hotel Columbia in the downtown State Capital. The second thing I did was to dial the McTeers’ number, in Varnville. S.C.. which bore an amazing resemblance (in every way) to Ellisville, MS (my birthplace!)

       We had, of course, written each other letters telling in minute details what we had been doing since parting company. He was having a minor sort of conflict with his family (he was an only child, for which I thanked God I was not: every day since meeting him, and as such, did a fare case of toeing the line on everything. His parents adored him, and tried to give him everything they could to make him happy, but they were also a lot stricter Methodists than my own Catholics parents were Catholics. Lynwood had been offered a very high paying jog, working for Shindley’s Brewers, as a secretary. They were dead set against that, and felt it would be a moral downfall for their lone son. This opening was in Chicago, which Lynwood and I were only too happy to consider a desirable location. Well, let me simply cut to the chase, and tell you that his career, which was very successful, had him working in such diverse cities as New Orleans, Chicago and New York City (all of which I managed several visits, except New York, which I visited only once. It was from here, that he became ill with Tuberculosis (which ultimately killed him—the same month that Mama dies, in Ellisville.

       But getting back to our reunion in Columbia, we had the time of our lives: Dinners at that fabulous hotel (always the same: steak, with potatoes and onions, and a double order of Shrimp Cocktails. That was the first night after his arrival: the very first thing he wanted to show me (his mother had let him drive her car for the trip) was to re-live the nightmarish Infiltration Course, which we had to run one time only, while the rest of our group had to run two day-time rehearsals, plus the really terrifying one in total darkness. It was as scared as I had ever been in my life! But now, standing as we were, on the very spot that was supposed to be simulating an actual battle ground by night, my mouth fell open with amazement: The entire “battleground” looked pathetically unimpressive and all things considered, we were both unable to feel any of the dread of that night so long ago!

       It was time for me to get home before my parents disowned me. Reluctantly we said our goodbyes, with plans for me to visit him wherever he worked. The bus from Columbia to Laurel wasn’t too bad: it just seemed so slow because I was more than ready to be back home in Ellisville: I could hardly wait to crawl into that sweet little Jenny Lind bed, with its extra stiff mattress (for my back).

Cat Fax

“You can’t own a cat. The best you can do is to be partners.”

Sir Harry Swanson

Old Movie Trivia Questions

1.     What two male film stars filled the German air with action in Where Eagles Dare?

2.     Who was the sexy lady in Ghostbusters? Hint: She also lit up a monster series.

3.     Who got top billing in Ghostbusters?

4.     The Women featured every MGM female star known to man. What was the surprise about the film?

5.     Was Greta Garbo one of The Women?

6.     One of Paramount’s funniest comedies of the 30’s was The Lady Eve. Who played this role?

7.     What handsome star was a clumsy oaf, always falling over furniture, etc.

8.     Who directed this gem of a comedy?

9.     Where was most of the film set?

10.  Who was Eve’s monacle-wearing father?

 

Frank Fax Facts XIV, 17

Frank’s Fax Facts and Reviews
Vol.. XIV No. 17
Sunday, July 21, 2013
After getting off to a wretched beginning with Comcast services, I finally unloaded them from my two TV sets. It all started when the man showed up for the first time, with NO recorder (that’s why I am back with Dish Network: anything worth watching gets saved, at least till I can watch it again. They wasted two weeks of my television viewing (it was impossible to get anything through that insipid Xfinnity -don’t ask ME what it means, other than being rather inane!). Right now I am still in limbo until I get my new Dish Network remote controls. Sadly, I am still unable to get phone service, but WILL have it back my tomorrow!
There’s No Place Like Home
I had a carbine shoved into my oh-so reluctant hands, as I walked unsteadily onto the tarmac, where we were ordered to perform a brief dismounted drill. I was never sure what the purpose could possibly have been, since I had not held a weapon in my hands since completing Basic Training! Of course, I did not want to have to explain that the only “Training” any member of the Historical Division got was on the occasional Saturday morning, when someone who could drive (I was not the only one with this stigma) would run us out to the Rhine River, where we rode a ferry across and back, then played a few games before returning to the barracks.
Soon my worst nightmare was about to happen: We were ordered to load the guns, and (as if by clockwork) when I attempted to get the ammunition thing-a-ma-bob open, there ensued a racket the likes of which I had never heard took place: My carbine (which I always preferred rather than the M-1 rifle we had to keep by our sides all nine of the 9-week cycle) now threw a fit of rebellion; half of it hit the tarmac with a noisy clatter, as I was left holding (not the firing part) as eyebrows and frowns of boredom seemed to light up the faces of all the brass there that afternoon! I have never felt more worthless than I did at that particular time! My face was hot with embarrassment, as I noisily and inexpertly reached down and retrieved the Carbine. In all fairness to the staff, I was never verbally criticized openly, but I could read only too easily what every gold-plated officer was directed at my head!
We marched (as a column) to the nearby prison where we were to escort our prisoners to the ship, and then (thank God) our responsibility was completed!
I had never even seen the prison, since our side trips to this town were frequently to see an opera, or concert. But now, something was causing me to have a sour stomach. Maybe it was the odor of all those
“Odor Killers!”

---

Frank’s Fax Facts and Reviews

Vol.. XIV No. 17

Sunday, July 21, 2013

          After getting off to a wretched beginning with Comcast services, I finally unloaded them from my two TV sets. It all started when the man showed up for the first time, with NO recorder (that’s why I am back with Dish Network: anything worth watching gets saved, at least till I can watch it again. They wasted two weeks of my television viewing (it was impossible to get anything through that insipid Xfinnity -don’t ask ME what it means, other than being rather inane!). Right now I am still in limbo until I get my new Dish Network remote controls. Sadly, I am still unable to get phone service, but WILL have it back my tomorrow!

There’s No Place Like Home

          I had a carbine shoved into my oh-so reluctant hands, as I walked unsteadily onto the tarmac, where we were ordered to perform  a brief dismounted drill.  I was never sure what the purpose could possibly have been, since I had not held a weapon in my hands since completing Basic Training! Of course, I did not want to have to explain that the only “Training” any member of the Historical Division got was on the occasional Saturday morning, when someone who could drive (I was not the only one with this stigma) would run us out to the Rhine River, where we rode a ferry across and back, then played a few games before returning to the barracks.

          Soon my worst nightmare was about to happen: We were ordered to load the guns, and (as if by clockwork) when I attempted to get the ammunition thing-a-ma-bob open, there ensued a racket the likes of which I had never heard took place: My carbine (which I always preferred rather than the M-1 rifle we had to keep by our sides all nine of the 9-week cycle) now threw a fit of rebellion; half of it hit the tarmac with a noisy clatter, as I was left holding (not the firing part) as eyebrows and frowns of boredom seemed to light up the faces of all the brass there that afternoon! I have never felt more worthless than I did at that particular time! My face was hot with embarrassment, as I noisily and inexpertly reached down and retrieved the Carbine. In all fairness to the staff, I was never verbally criticized openly, but I could read only too easily what every gold-plated officer was directed at my head!

          We marched (as a column) to the nearby prison where  we were to escort our prisoners to the ship, and then (thank God) our responsibility was completed!

          I had never even seen the prison, since our side trips to this town were frequently to see an opera, or concert. But now, something was causing me to have a sour stomach. Maybe it was the odor of all those
“Odor Killers!”

          The return trip was even less appealing than the “Maiden Voyage” had been. Again, I was invited to perform on a “Talent Show” one afternoon, and I certainly was less fun without dear Lynwood. I even missed his dancing, which was not overly good. I had decided to play Chopin’s “Ocean Waves Etude” rather then the showier “Revolutionary Etude.” I ended up having to fight the piano rather than merely play it. A rather nasty little wind had come along, and was about to blow the upright piano into the water: and me with it. I actually had to fight to stay on my stool and hold onto the keyboard at the same time. It was not the kind of memory you wish to repeat!

2.

Lady Liberty caused a great big lump to form in my throat, and I got the strangest feeling that I knew how Daddy had felt, when he first entered this country, via Ellis Island. And just thinking about being reunited with my precious family made it impossible not to count every section until I was back home to stay!

(One more chapter next week)

CAT FAX

“In ancient times, cats were worshipped as Gods; they have not forgotten this.”

Terry Pratchett

 

Old Movie Trivia Questions from last week

1.     Clint Eastwood and Richard Burton filled the German skies with suspense and excitement in Where Eagles Dare?

2.     Sigourney Weaver was the Sex Symbol who lit up Ghostbusters, and also Starred in the series

3.     Bill  Murray had top billing in the Ghostbusters.

4.     The Women featured every MGM female star known to man. The surprise about the film was that even the animals had to be females

5.     Greta Garbo somehow managed to escape from being one of The Women.

6.     One of Paramount’s funniest comedies of the 30’s was The Lady Eve. Barbara Stanwyck  played this role.

7.     Henry Fonda was the clumsy oaf, always falling over furniture, etc.

8.     Preston Sturgis directed this gem of a comedy.

9.     Most of the film set was set on an ocean liner.

10.  Charles Coburn was Eve’s monacle-wearing father.

 

Ole Movie Trivia Quiz

1.    Frank Sinatra’s first Hollywood film was Reville with Beverly. He sang, “Ole Man River”. Who played Beverly?

2.    His role in which WW2 film won an Oscar?

3.    His first starring movie was in Higher and Higher, which was definitely in the direction his career was going. His co-star was what actress?

4.    One of my favorite of all of his films was with Debbie Reynolds, the title was also the movie’s theme song.

5.    Frank acted with Gina Lolobridgia in what wartime film?

6.    Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr. and several other male favorites became known as what Group nickname?

7.    Sinatra and Bing Crosby finally starred in the same film: it was a remake of a huge MGM hit of the 1940’s.

8.    Crosby had played priests in Going My Way, with Barry Fitzgerald and again in The Bells of Saint Mary’s (with Ingrid Bergman); Sinatra was equally wonderful in RKO’s priest film, also with Bells in the title.

9.    Frank starred with “The with the Kid from Hattiesburg” who was in The Music Man on Broadway, with Eleanor Parker. What was this called?

10. What were his two children’s names?

Frank’s Fax Facts and Reviews

Vol.. XIV No. 16

Sunday, July 14, 2015

       Let’s just forget that the two last weeks never happened: OK? For me, to call the time abominable would be like calling the Black Plague a small inconvenience!

       I got off to a shaky beginning Monday morning, when I took quite a fall in Wal-Mart’s parking lot: It was misting rain, and after parking, I went to the back and got my USM umbrella, and while attempting to close the door (which is just out of my reach) I lost my balance; and down I fell, with a sickening right elbow which was a bloody mess. I had attracted a small crowd, including the nicest “older gentleman” who just happened to work at the store: he took charge, and sent inside for paper towels and a Band Aid with which the clean and protect my poor old elbow. Then he walked me inside, where he got my motorized shopping cart, and in all of this TLC, I totally forgot to find out his name! I want to tell him just how much his kindness had renewed my confident in the way the world is moving. I did tell him that he is not only a gentleman and a scholar; but one of the surviving “Good Samaritans.” It momentarily restored my faith in my fellow man!

 

Old Movie Review

Ghost Busters (1984 Columbia)

       When this made its debut, I was overwhelmed with how really hysterical the entire film was! And now, after not seeing anything even close to its originality and genius, I can only feel sadness (as I do when I see an MGM Technicolor Musical), as I always cry and tell myself that, sad as it is, we will never see its likes again.

       If this is not top quality film making, I’ll eat my USM hat!

       What the future of Hollywood has in store for us, we will see (only you could not force me to watch them) the mega-million dollar inanity of the onslaught of cartoons (‘cutesy’ always) and dreadful so-called action films. Plenty of filthy language (and not much more) wallowing, and remakes of last year’s worst flops!

       As far as I am concerned, Hollywood could just as well be done without completely. Turn those famous lights off now!

       Thank God for Hollywood’s having the good sense to release these old gems from time to time. I found myself almost choking to death I was laughing so long and hard! This really IS very funny stuff: Remember when they got “Squished”? (I cannot think of their word, which is infinitely funnier!

A Sicilian in Scandinavia!

       Having seen Hans Christian Andersen many times, and finding Danny Kaye only improving each time I saw it, it has long been one of my all-time favorites: right up there with GWTW, Little Women and the likes. That was just how impressed I was after being in Copenhagen for a truly magical week!

The dormitory room worked beautifully for my week in this Utopia: I never encountered another person at any time that I used the facilities at all (and I did use them).

       Time has obscured the details of my week, but I remember that I was never once bored! There was always something interesting to be done. And I still remember the pang I felt when it was announced that the side-trip to Norway and Sweden was leaving that morning. Oh, well, I am not the type to sit and brood because I did not get to do something that I am sure I would have enjoyed.

       And, now, after all these years, it seems that I had barely returned to Karlsruhe and the Historical Division (which I right away changed to the Hysterical Division) when it was time to report to the nearest city to “pick up” my prisoner, and guard him all the way to the ship that was to bring me back to the wonderful United States!

       On this return trip, I once again got invited to participate in a musical, and much as I disliked repeating myself, I again used Chopin’s Revolutionary Etude! I had not touched a piano for two years: it made me really determined to finish my Doctorate when I was once again a civilian.

Cat Fax

“You can’t own a cat. The best you can do is to be partners.”

Sir Harry Swanson

Old Movie Trivia Questions

1.     What two male film stars filled the German air with action in Where Eagles Dare?

2.     Who was the sexy lady in Ghostbusters? Hint: She also lit up a monster series.

3.     Who got top billing in Ghostbusters?

4.     The Women featured every MGM female star known to man. What was the surprise about the film?

5.     Was Greta Garbo one of The Women?

6.     One of Paramount’s funniest comedies of the 30’s was The Lady Eve. Who played this role?

7.     What handsome star was a clumsy oaf, always falling over furniture, etc.

8.     Who directed this gem of a comedy?

9.     Where was most of the film set?

10.  Who was Eve’s monacle-wearing father?

 

 

FF XIV, 15

Frank’s Fax Facts and Reviews

Vol.. XIV No. 15

Sunday, July 7, 2015

 Since I was never able to find last week’s edition; I shall just give you a gist of the articles that were contained therein.

       Sicilian in Italy became “Sicilian in Scandinavia” and I do intend to write as close as I can to the original version of that.

Here is the CAT FAX (which was unusually brief and funny)

“If a cat could talk, he wouldn’t.”  Nan Porter

 

A Sicilian in Scandinavia!

       On my last morning in Naples, I rose early and took a cab out to the US Airport, where I had been told I could get a free  ride to London,  on what I believe was called a MAT flight. This military flight was for anyone in a USA uniform. I went into the main building and filled out a form for any flight to London on that Sunday (May the first: or, May Day, which is celebrated much more in Europe than here in America) I sat in the waiting room and did what I had finally learned how to do best:: sitting there, and managing to pass the time by working crossword puzzles. This had become a life saver (read that as a Brain Saver, because, as everyone knows, in the military you do nothing but wait 9/10 of the time) For some reason, it used to make most of the other GIs furious to see me calmly working puzzles while they had to try to keep each other entertained!

       Around noon, my  name was called over the loud speaker, and after I had walked up to the spot where I presumed I would board the plane: sadly, this was not to be the case. I had been bumped by an officer. There were no more flights until Monday, and I certainly was not going to stay in suspense that long. As a sort of consolation prize, as I thought of it.  I was given the opportunity of a free plane ride to Rome, where I was assured there would be many flights to different cities, and thanks to Lynwood’s advice, I had placed Copenhagen, Madrid and one or two others on my furlough papers.

 I just about gave up the entire thing, however, when I saw the plane that was to fly me to Rome: It was a 2-seater, with barely enough room for me and the pilot. As the passenger I had to ride in the section of the plane below his seat. But I was determined that they would not spoil my furlough! Gritting my teeth, I crawled laboriously into that second cockpit, and began praying!

       When we were finally flying over the Naples’ US Army airport, I felt as if I would surely die before we got off the pavement. And when we did, the pilot took off like a scalded dog! We were going so fast (it probably just felt this way because I had never flown under such primitive conditions!)

       Once again on terra firmer, I went into the Rome Airport and found that a train was leaving almost immediately for Copenhagen! They rushed me forward and before I could say, “Jackie Robinson”, the beautifully equipped train was streaming northward. I was so hungry I felt I could have eaten a horse! But I went to the dining car instead, and had a sandwich and my usual Coca-Cola! I felt perfectly content after that, and sat (with my trusty puzzles in my lap) waiting for Denmark!

2.

       My train from Rome to Copenhagen, amazingly enough, took me all that distance and I never had to change trains, nor even change my seat! I was literally bowled over when, once the train reached the last stop of Germany, it merely drove onto another set of rails that loaded our entire world (at that moment) on another set of rails that were meant to take us (over the waves) to Copenhagen! This was one of the biggest surprises of my total tenure in the Army!

       Once we were moving across the water to Denmark, they invited us to a Smorgasbord, which had every imaginable edible I could imagine, plus several that I had no wish to get familiar with! But there were enough really great dishes, to compensate for the eels, succi and other unmentionables!

       But the food in the metropolis was, in general excellent. As usual when I was in a strange new city, I always relied on the Information Bureau at the depot to get me a reasonably priced room. And as I had a whole week there, I wanted a better than usual room. They said I could stay in the College Men’s dormitory, while at that time of the year, all of the students were away. So, that’s exactly what I did. The nicest part of all was that I could take as many showers as I wanted, without paying a cent for it (Europe, I soon discovered, does not look upon bathing as we do: to them, it’s a luxury for which you are charged outlandish prices. The ultra modern College was located very close to the heart of the city.

3.

When I saw the statue of The Little Mermaid, I was reminded of that wonderful 1952 movie, Hans Christian Anderson, which I have seen many times. The brass statue is the highlight of visiting Copenhagen for the first time. The waterfront is packed with people selling fresh fish, and it is truly a memorable sight to behold.

The Danes were celebrating Mid-Summer while I was there: at that time the winters still were so severe, that they never got too hot, in their really mild summers. This made for lots more attendance at the Tivoli Gardens. And I had become enamored of the entire country. I could have taken a side trip to Finland of one of the other countries, had I the foresight to add any of those to my military orders. But I felt fortunate enough to have been able to spend an entire week in this wonderfully beautiful city!

 

Ginger Gets Sheared

Dr. Frank Brown, Who has been my vet since the days of Judy, suggested that I start having my little Angel groomed ever so often. I agreed and left her with his staff. When I went back to get her, I was struck dumb by what I saw: were still intact!

I quickly let it be known that I was not at all pleased with the job I had to pay for. When I got Ginger home, in this weird looking mess, she went into hiding! I’m not kidding, she did not want me to see her looking like this! And it made me sick each time I looked at her.

Old Movie Review

       A Millionaire for Christy (1951)

                This was one of several films I watched last week, as TCM honored the films of Eleanor Parker, and it was the worst. This sit-com, without the benefit of being conceived for Television, was a total waste of its female star, and not treating Fred MacMurray a whole lot better. It went from slapstick to worse, so when it returned to slapstick, it was better than before! Basically, Christie works for a business firm which handles prize-winning contests. She is assigned the task of locating MacMurray (who is a TV star) to deliver the equivalent of two million dollars: in Mexican Pecos. By the time she delivers this wealth to him, they have found themselves in a hodge-podge of embarrassing situations. MacMurry is scheduled to be married to his best friend (Richard Carlson)’s girl friend, which adds many more embarrassing moments to an already over-loaded amounts of corn, Do yourself a favor: forget it! (Bomb)

Old Movie Trivia Quiz for July 7

1.     What MGM film, concerning the 4^th of July, starred Mickey Rooney and Marilyn Maxwell?

2.     Who was the author of the play on which is it based?

3.     What was his title?

4.     What playwright gave us Summer and Smoke?

5.     Laurence Harvey and what beloved actress were the leads?

6.     Summer Magic starred Burl Ives, Dorothy McGuire and which extremely popular star. Hint: it’s a she!

7.     Summer of ’43 remains one of my favorite films of all time: Who was the Older woman who befriends young Robert Mulligan?

8.     A Summer Place made a lot of money for WB, The song made money, and presence of Troy Donahue and which budding starlet brought in the throngs?

9.     Summer Stock was a huge hit for MGM, because it starred with Gene Kelly, its greatest talent: Who was she?

10. Summertime, which was filmed in Venice, when this star fell into the disease laden canal, and it almost caused her death.

Answers to THE last quiz:

I need help in knowing which quiz you received last!

Everything seems so messed up that I am very discouraged!

 

RE: FF XIV, 14

Dear Frank. ..(just learning how to use my new phone)..you made me remember flying on an tiny International Paper company plane with one pilot and my mother...I remember my mother and I were clutching each other as the fright sunk in!   And never again will I fly on a plane with only one pilot!  Patricia. ...Frank, would it be okay with you if I share your movie trivia quizes with a friend of mine?  She's a vintage movie buff.

  

Sent via the Samsung GALAXY S™4, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

-------- Original message --------
From: Frank Imbragulio <lisztn2me@gmail.com>
Date: 07/08/2013 9:16 AM (GMT-06:00)
To: acgas57@att.net,Anie Nunnally <Aniemere@gmail.com>,appraisals_plus@sbcglobal.net,'Beth and Wayne Jeskey' <jeskeyupriver@gmail.com>,bigmyrtle@comcast.net,billw@williamsryan.com,Billy Helton <bheltonsebring@gmail.com>,biomusic@bellsouth.net,blogtana@gmail.com,brjohn@bellsouth.net,bskeel@bellsouth.net,bubbiemcc@comcast.net,catgoddess@bellsouth.net,ccue@aol.com,CGivens103@aol.com,cierra2605@yahoo.com,computerguy@mchsi.com,"Cromwell_Maryelizabeth@Yahoo. Com" <cromwell_maryelizabeth@yahoo.com>,dale_hudson@comcast.net,dammons1@bellsouth.net,david_trant@hotmail.com,doe641@aol.com,eharriso@usouthal.edu,etudes24@webtv.net,fervin@nbnet.nb.ca,gcellist@aol.com,glorame@bellsouth.net,"H. Steve" <flasteve1@gmail.com>,hdeck@comcast.net,hilstar@embarqmail.com,humberston@hotmail.com,Iris <jik15@att.net>,irma@irmahale.com,jallen5_99@yahoo.com,janderson5748@comcast.net,jbrandt09@comcast.net,jff213@att.net,jimmy81950@aol.com,joeburktex@aol.com,kayebeaty@aol.com,kennyfann@comcast.net,ktaylor312@aol.com,lcarbon@bellsouth.net,lisztn2me.myshorts@blogger.com,lisztn2me.trudchip@blogger.com,lisztn2me@gmail.com,madebylife@gmai.com,marthahuckins@yahoo.com,marylou0131@yahoo.com,meseller@bellsouth.net,mesellers@gmail.com,mfbaughn@aol.com,mickeyboog@aol.com,mike2349@bellsouth.net,mizsuzieq@bellsouth.net,mrbill2000@comcast.net,MSimmons@ong.com,my7planets@yahoo.com,namztukk@bellsouth.net,"Nancy-Purvis@Excite.Com" <nancy-purvis@excite.com>,nhora@comcast.net,nollie_felts@comcast.net,ODonnell@mchsi.com,pagriffin3@att.net,pianosue@gmail.com,pqgail@comcast.net,r.mk.bersul@gmail.com,robe1002@bellsouth.net,rwebb-cbi@qwestoffice.net,shay_run@bellsouth.net,sheryl.bates@mail.com,sjtc1229@yahoo.com,sstreet@centurytel.net,stephanybeverly@hotmail.com,"Susan5@Roadrunner. Com" <susan5@roadrunner.com>,susanahall@att.net,tcwilliams63@hotmail.com,tp.johnson@hotmail.com,update+kr4maww5q24x@facebookmail.com,voicer40@sbcglobal.net,werholms@juno.com,x2ld@bellsouth.net,zebec847@aol.com
Subject: FF XIV, 14

Frank's Fax Facts and Reviews

Vol.. XIV No. 14

Sunday, June 30, 2013

       Heat and rain have typified our weather, as Summer came barging in as if  determined to make us pay for those heavenly colder days of winter that at least a few other souls and I thoroughly enjoyed.

       Tuesday, I had the best bridge hands I have seen for what seems like 40 forevers; and while I did not win, I had two scores (with the same lady) that were over 6000 points! Bernice Redeberg was my partner's name, and she went on to win high score all by herself!

       Dale Hudson came to visit on Thursday, and to deliver the music and CD's of my three chamber operas to USM's music faculty. They are going to look at them (and, I hope) listen to them to see if they can use them in any way. These are their titles: The Centerville Ghost (from a story by Oscar Wilde) A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens) and The Taming of the Shrew (William Shakespeare).

       I had made shrimp Jambalaya for our lunch, with yellow rice and a beet and cucumber salad, followed by fresh Strawberries, covered with ice cream. He insisted (not that it was hard to convince me)  I let him treat me to supper at Wintzels, where the seafood is always fresh and luscious. We both had the
"Half and Half," which means you get to order any two seafoods. I thought I was ordering half raw oysters and half fried ones, (that's the way it has always been when Mike and Patricia take me)  but eating a double order of fried oysters was a mistake that really did not bother me that much. Dale had fried oysters and fried shrimp.

       Ginger really over-reacted towards Dale (and he had never seen her and could not believe what a beautiful feline she is!) and to make a long story short: Thursday night she cried until I got up and opened the room to our bedroom, and she walked over to his door, which he had left ajar, and crawled into bed with her. He admitted later that he enjoyed her sweet warm body near him. In spite of this rather bizarre behavior, I will be only too happy to have him back for another visit. Friends like that are few and far between!

Cat Fax

"If cats could talk, they wouldn't."

Nan Porter (Who knows whereof she writes!)

 

A Sicilian in Italy

Pompeii. A dream come true!

       There were two tragic events that had me absolutely spellbound as a young boy, growing up in Richton, Mississippi: the volcano that totally buried the city of Pompeii, and the much more recent sinking of the Titanic! Of course, the latter occurred after our parents were born; so we were often told the story of that ill fated ocean liner. I almost wore the pages out with reading, time and again, about these tragedies in our Books of Knowledge, and a cheap set of encyclopedias Daddy had bought for us (he'd often sit at  the dining room table with his "always patched  up reading glasses hanging from his nose). I have already written about seeing the movies of the Titanic's tragedy (I have seen at least four different screen versions) but the one I disliked the most was that last spectacular version that won so many awards! In my estimation, it fell far short of the Fox version of 1953, with its far-more-interesting Romance: Clifton Webb and Barbara Stanwyck held me spellbound. And, of course after they raised the ruins of the ship, it all seemed so really sickening that they didn't have even half as many lifeboats as they needed!.

       With my other "favorite Tragedy", I got to see the RKO's 1935 version of The Last Days of Pompeii, in Detroit, Michigan when I was there in 1949. It had been well worth waiting for, but so far as I can see, this RKO version is the only one made into a film in the US.

       If I  was thrilled to death when I had lucked up and seen the movie, quite by accident with She (another filmed version of a book I had fallen in love with, by H. Ryder Haggard!) was the other half of a double-bill!

       Now, after all those years, I was arriving at the Ruins of Pompeii! My heart was pounding like a trip-hammer!

       Our tour was absolutely wonderful, and seeing those houses (with plumbing and central heat) boggled my mind; seeing those loaves of bread, which were in the ovens when the volcano erupted, still looked so normal that I could hardly believe the centuries that had passed since they were shoved into the oven; probably for some rich family's evening meal.

       There were, of course, many more worthwhile discoveries (and other reasons to know just how far advanced  Pompeii was than the rest of the world. I was lost in the past as we were taken back to Naples.

       The day I left Naples (which was May 1^st) I took a cab to the US Air Force location, and was able to book an early afternoon flight to London! I was delirious with joy at the mere prospect! And the best part of all: since I was in uniform, the trip cost me nothing! I believe they were referred to as MAT flights, but do not quote me.  (Lynwood and I had tried, the last time we were in Paris, to get on one of these military flights, but all seats were taken, both days we tried to get on.) Consequently, he never got to England, other than that stopover night visit we had experienced on the ship that transported us to Germany, and we were not allowed to leave the ship: only the officers were given that. I have been on two week-long theater tours of London since becoming a civilian, once more.

       I stayed in the area until time to board the plane, and can never forget how miserable I was when I was told I had been bumped  by some General (or less) But there was no point in crying over spilt milk: so I  accepted the offer of a free flight to Rome, where I would be closer to Denmark, and have more choices of how to get from there (from Rome)..  I was so glad that Lynwood had taught me to put on my furlough lots of places that I would like to visit, just in case what had happened, should happen, And Copenhagen was like another dream come true!

       The only "Fly in the Ointment" was that when I saw the plane I was being transported to Rome in, I almost backed out of going anywhere, except back to Karlsruhe! It was a very old and decrepit two-passenger airplane of long ago! I had to sit in that second seat, while the pilot was just out of my reach! I was literally scared out of my senses (remember, my flying experiences up to that point were (1) the day Marcus and I had been flown to Columbia, SC, as we became GI's, and (2 and 3) the short flights from Columbia to Meridian, MS (on leaves) where Helen and Tom met me and drove me home, then would have to reverse the procedure to get me back on time.!

       I sat, teeth rattling with horror, as the tiny place flew upward and onward. The flight probably took less than 45 minutes: but to me, it seemed endless! I shall never forget that May Day back in the 1950's!

       But it led to the wonderful city which Danny Kaye made so popular, with his truly fascinating Hans Christian Anderson movie!

(Next Week)

Old Movie Reviews

The Barrets of Wimpole Street

In 1934, Norma Schearer, Fredrick March, and Charles Laughton showed everybody one way to live in London in the days of Elizabeth and Robert Browning. I do not know how accurate the biography was, but the father of all the Barrets had to have been a "Piece of Work" to be even half as mean spirited as both movies[ versions on the same book presents him. He admits to the entire family that Elizabeth is the only one he loves, and eventually it dawns on her that he has more than parental interest in her. That is when she decides she has no choice but to elope with Robert.

This supposedly factual story of how Robert Browning (March) manages to steal his "Portugese"  poet" right from under the nose and noise of past-master-villain, Charles Laughton; and by the time that happens, you are exhausted from the tension engendered by this trio, and several brothers and sisters: Maureen O'Sullivan went straight from this role to the unwed mate in Tarzan, the Ape Man. As a younger sister to Elizabeth, she falls in love with an army officer that she has had conversations with, in spite of their father's strict laws that he imposes on them, she manages to slip out of their house and finally, she, too, gets married.

I had always wanted to see this first talking picture of this wonderful book, and had enjoyed the later version (with Jennifer Jones) as Elizabeth, but this was more full of the London of that time: it was just too ridiculous to be believed: or were people really that domineering?

A Hole in the Head (1959)

United Artists

       I remembered having seen this back when it was released: I remember that Frank Sinatra and his son (played by Hattiesburg's own Eddy Hodges- who had been the perfect choice The Music Man when it played on Broadway). I also remembered the great duet father and son had, "High Hopes". Well, let's cut to the chase: I admit to crying through this entire film, so full of happy memories for me! And I did not know THIS until about five minutes ago, when I checked on its release date: the director was Frank Capra! NO wonder it is such a tear-jerker!

Sinatra plays a loveable widower (with a young son who adores him, and whose greatest fear is that he will be taken from his father and left with an uncle and Aunt-Edward G. Robinson and Thelma Ritter). Also present are a gorgeous

Eleanor Parker (in one of her most exquisite roles) and Carolyn Jones

 (remember her?) make for quite a cast!

There is, of course, the typical Capra Happy Ending (by which time I had thoroughly wet a couple of handkerchiefs) 

 ****

 

June 30^th, Old Movie Quiz

1.     Who were the stars of State Fair's second screening (with music by Rogers and Hammerstein)?

2.     Who was the Met. Opera's  contralto who was Bing Crosby's Going My Way co-star?

3.     What Irish folk Song was prominently featured in this Oscar winner?

4.     A sequel to Going My Way starred Ingrid Bergman with Crosby. Can you name this movie?

5.     Miracle of the Bells had another male crooner as a Priest. Who was this younger singer?

6.     This same actor won an Oscar for his performance in what WWII drama?

7.     He was silent pictures' most popular star, who (tragically died at a very early age: his funeral (in the 1920's) had more mourners than any other funeral has had since then,

8.     What was Walt Disney's second Animated feature film?

9.     What was Theda Bara's Hollywood title?

10.  Which Warner Bros. beauty eared for herself the title, "The Oomph girl?"

Answers to Last Week's Quiz

1.     Orson Welles was Citizen Kane in the film of that name.

2.     Joseph Cotten (first seen in the above) was in The Third Man.

3.     Orson Welles (again) was the male star in The Third Man

4.     Vienna was the world Capital in which the climactic scene (a Ferris wheel) is photographed.

5.     David O. Selznick produced RKO's Little Women in the 1930s

6.     Max Steiner, Oscar winning composer won the 39 award for the best music for a movie, also wrote Little Women's score.

7.     Jennifer Jones was the star of  Portrait of Jenny.

8.     Both the  Portrait of Jenny and The Picture of Dorian Gray were filmed in black and white (athough Jenny used two other special cameras) and both of them have a shock waiting for the audience, as both paintings appear in Technicolor, which changes the looks of both portraits drastically!

9.     Angela Lansbury, sang about a "Poor Little Yellow Bird", in The Picture of Dorian Gray

10.    Angela Lansbury never got a leading role from MGM in all of those years. When she went to TV and Broadway Musicals (Auntie Mame and Sweeny Todd, she began winning Tony Awards for her musicals and Emmy's for Murder, She Wrote.